Chicago Bears Versus the Detroit Lions: 10 Things We Learned

Well the Bears managed to get away with a close win in Detroit this Sunday and maintain their five game winning streak. 

Chicago didn’t play their best game of the season but instead of poor play on one side of the ball dragging down the other side—usually the offense takes down the defense but in this game it was the other way around for a period of time—they ended up picking one another up and winning this game.

There were a lot of things that we can take away from this game on Sunday. 

Let’s look at ten key things that we learned about the Bears during their game against the Lions.

The Bears Have a Good Running Back in Chester Taylor

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Chester Taylor #29 of the Chicago Bears runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not the Bears made a mistake by signing Chester Taylor this offseason. 

Those questions have been answered in the Bear’s victory over the Lions. 

Taylor helped relieve his partner, Matt Forte and ran hard every chance he got—He even scored a touchdown and showed the coaching staff what they have in him.

The Bears Still Need to Blitz

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Israel Idonije #71 and Danieal Manning #38 of the Chicago Bears make the stop on Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated th

Chicago didn’t get a lot of pressure from their front four to start the game so they started adding additional players to get some pass pressure on Lion’s quarterback Drew Stanton, forcing him to make mistakes. 

They did get some good pressure when they did blitz and cornerback D.J. Moore had a nice sack. 

The problem is, when they blitz the linebackers and cornerbacks that takes out tacklers in behind the defensive line which causes problems like we saw on Sunday. 

Can they really afford to blitz?

Jay Cutler Can Cause His Own Sacks

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears scrambles for a first down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo by Leo

Jay Cutler was sacked frequently on Sunday.

Some were the result of his offensive line’s inability to protect him.

However,  more than a couple were due to his inability to get rid of the ball in a timely manner.

Cutler has been making good decisions during Chicago’s five game winning streak but he had a little breakdown in his decision making on Sunday. 

Hopefully this was temporary.

Earl Bennett Is a Very Reliable Receiver

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Earl Bennett #80 of the Chicago Bears catches a 12 yard pass for a first down as Louis Delmas #26 of the Detroit Lions makes the stop during the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lio

This one is a no-brainer.

Cutler and Bennett had a very good relationship in college and that has carried over to the NFL where the two are connecting again on a regular basis. 

Cutler must feel very comfortable with Bennett and Bennett seems to be in the right place at the right time. 

This combination can help carry the offense to the playoffs.

Devin Hester Is Poised to Break a Long Return Soon

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears breaks for a first down run of 39 yards after a catch pursued by Stewart Bradley #55 and Dimitri Patterson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illino

You saw the reaction that Hester had on Sunday when he failed to break get a touchdown on the long return he had in the second half of the game.

You know he wants that record bad. 

Hester’s return ability is going to become an important part of things as the Bears attempt to win their final four games and get into the playoffs so look for a lot of hard running by Devin as he attempts to break the return record.

D.J. Moore Plays Bigger Than He Is

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by D. J. Moore #30 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo by Leon

Is there anyone out there that doesn’t agree with the above statement? 

Moore has been productive in several games this season with timely interceptions and pressure on the quarterback.

His sack of Stanton came at a great time for the Bears on Sunday. 

Teams won’t be overlooking this guy in any of the games remaining this season and we will continue to see him making plays on defense.

The Offensive Line Needs Help

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears congratulates teammates (L-R) Chris Williams #74, Roberto Garza #63 and Frank Omiyale #68 after a touchdown throw against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, I

If General Manager Jerry Angelo doesn’t do something to improve this offensive line during the offseason—either through the draft or through free agency—then there will be a lot of problems for the Bears next season. 

Angelo has to draft some help there and make sure that he does well with his picks since he is noted for making poor draft decisions when it comes to offensive linemen.

Peppers Continues to Play Well

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonath

Despite the fact the Bears didn’t get a lot of sacks or consistent pressure on Stanton, Sunday, defensive end Julius Peppers still managed to play well. 

He was a big part of what the Bears were able to do on defense in the second half and continues to be the most important member of the Bear’s defensive line.

The Bears Have a Balanced Offense

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Earl Bennett #80 of the Chicago Bears hands off to teammate Matt Forte #22 from the 'wildcat' formation against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26.

It’s true—the Bears are using a good balance of both running and passing the ball on offense and its working wonders for their ability to win games. 

The Bears have been a running team for a better part of their long and storied history but now, with a quarterback like Cutler at the helm along with some good wide receivers, they are able to pass the ball effectively as well. 

With their mix on offense, they will continue to play well and win.

Good As Gould

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Robbie Gould #9 of the Chicago Bears kicks against the Buffalo Bills at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Chicago won 22-19. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

With a career long 54-yard field goal in this game, it appears as if kicker Robbie Gould has come out of the mini-slump he had earlier in the season. 

His kicking ability is going to be important as the weather gets colder and the games get tighter so hopefully he can continue to be reliable.